Ensuring the Well-being of Research Subjects Institutional Review Board
The purpose of Westmont College's Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to evaluate research proposals using both human and animal subjects to ensure that harm to sentient beings is minimized and the study results are a net benefit to the world.
Human Subjects Research
For research proposals involving human participants, the IRB determines whether the risk to the participants is minimized and is reasonable when weighed against the benefits of the project for its participants and for the advancement of scientific knowledge. In addition, the IRB evaluates whether the selection of participants is equitable and particularly vulnerable populations are safeguarded with respect to their rights and safety. Finally, the IRB decides whether the proposed procedures will keep participants' identity and data confidential, the informed consent form is appropriately informative, the informed consent procedure includes proper documentation, and the proper authority 's (participant or participant's legal representative) consent is obtained.
Research with Non-Human Animals
For research proposals involving animal subjects, the IRB determines whether the proposed procedures will cause distress, pain or discomfort in the animals. If any of these will occur, the IRB must then determine whether appropriate relief is necessary, given the research design and goals. In cases where animals will not receive relief from pain, discomfort, or distress, they must be killed painlessly. In addition, the IRB members conduct twice-yearly inspections of the animal care facilities to verify that the living conditions of the animals are comfortable and healthful, given their species, that medical care is available as needed, and those caring for the animals are trained properly, given the species. Finally, the IRB decides whether the euthanasia procedures are appropriate, given the research design and goals.
Research proposals involving human or animal subjects must be submitted to the IRB for review and approval before commencing the study.
The IRB Initial Inquiry form (don't start filling it out yet; see below) will help you gauge whether IRB review of your proposal is:
- Not Required (based on answers to the first set of questions)
- Exempt (some research can be deemed exempt from IRB review)
- Expedited (the review can be done by a single IRB shepherd)
- Full (the review will require the participation of two or more IRB shepherds)
BEFORE you start completing the IRB Initial Inquiry form you must read the IRB Submittal Guidance document and use it to prepare for submittal of your project details and documentation.
Other available resources include:
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IRB Project Documentation (to prepare your supporting materials for upload)
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IRB Informed Consent Form Template (to build the form to be signed by your subjects)
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IRB Update Request (to edit previously submitted content and/or upload versions of your proposal; or for faculty or outside entities to request renewal)
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IRB Animal Application & Protocol (supplements the IRB Initial Inquiry if non-human animals are being studied)
- IRB Injury Report (submit in case a subject is injured)
If you are collaborating with a researcher from another college, BOTH colleges' IRBs need to approve the proposal. The Principle Investigator's college should approve it first and then the collaborating college's IRB.
IRB members serve four-year terms.
Everything the IRB Shepherd will need to perform their reviews will be found at the IRBTracker Home Base, which is only accessible upon signing in to Smartsheet with their westmont.edu credentials.*
The IRB Chair must perform a couple additional steps referenced in IRB Chair & Admin Tips.
The spade work done by USC and found at their IRB site is excellent, and a reliable guide for project review decision making.
* - If you encounter the message "We couldn't find an account with those credentials. Try another account or a different region" then click the "Sign in with your company account" option, which may involve using your 2FA (authenticator).
- Federal Regulations Governing the Use of Human Subjects in Research
- Federal resource links concerning Human Research Protection
- The Belmont Report
- APA Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Research with Humans
- APA Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in the Care and Use of Animals
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (tutorial)
- Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
Institutional Review Board Members
Associate Professor Of Chemistry
asilberstein@westmont.edu
Assistant Professor Of Kinesiology
igomez@westmont.edu
Associate Professor of Music & Head of Strings
hankim@westmont.edu
Assistant Professor Of Biology
ylu@westmont.edu